A quick Google of today's opposition reveals that the "Trinibis" in their name appears to be unique as a suffix amongst cricket clubs, and not only that, but unique as a word in English.
Unfortunately for the Plastics XI, the pattern of this match was very much not unique and followed almost exactly the same path as last year's fixture. A brief chat with the opposition skipper revealed that their league team had snaffled several of their players to fill spots for the concurrent fixture on the other pitch and as such he didn't really know how strong their team was; as the Plastics were fortunate enough to have one of their stronger batting line ups available, a gentleman's agreement for them to bowl first to make a day of it. This was only the first of many parallels to be drawn with the 2018 match up between these two teams. Matt opened the bowling, focusing on a leg stump line to prevent batsmen from driving down the slope and in another unique feat, didn't bowl a single wide or no ball from his tight four over spell. Phil roared in from the other end and bowled a canny mix of unexpected bounce and back of the hand slower balls, extracted the opener attempting a pull with Alex taking a steepler at point. This was only the start of another excellent bowling performance against this opposition- Joey bowling a mix of impossible-to-judge legspin and searing pace, claiming a proper wicket as Dom took a smart catch behind, and JEVS flighting everything up and dropping it full to take two wickets in two balls, both bowled. Iain bowled spectacularly well on debut and finished with incredible figures of 7.2-3-11-2, and Simon kept it tight against Holtwhites best batsman. The true hero though, was JEVS, coming back on in his second spell, and completing only the third Plastics Pffeifer! Adding an LBW, a caught and bowled, and even a catch in the field (the ball popping up nicely to Simon at mid-off to take one of those simple catches that everyone dreads putting down), limiting the opposition to an eminently chaseable 132. Or so your author thought. Those of you following the theme of this match report and familiar with last season's match will recognise that Jerry's equally superb five wicket haul was followed by a desperately inadequate batting perfomance. Your author would love to reassure our reader at this point that this didn't happen on this occasion, but can only suggest instead that you do not read this in a professional environment because barring one or two exceptions, the Plastics batting was very much NSFW. First up, Pete Bishop, who looked the business even when clipping a half volley straight into the hands of mid-wicket. Then Alex the next to fall on his sword by chopping it straight to the same fielder at point. James Heis battled valiantly against the weight of history and his teammates deciding not to bother but eventually fell when offering a return catch to the bowler; he hit it bloody hard and 99 times out of 100 it would have burst through the bowlers hands and over the boundary. This was not one of those 99 times and the bowler emerged with stinging palms and a beatific smile. Dom, becalmed by the threat of the slope got a great ball that moved from leg to off and bowled him for a 6 ball duck. Matt (promoted himself up the order due to dodgy knees) and James Dewhirst looked to be steadying the ship, playing every ball on it's merits and watchfully letting the more harmless ones go by; at least, until Matt left a straight one that he thought was going down leg and got pinned lbw and eventually departed after setting a terrible example to the kids watching on TV by questioning the decision of the umpire. James eventually got bowled for 15 after ignoring his own sensible advice and trying to twat one, as did Phil. JEVS came in and got 16 off eight (A Gayle-esque innings where he swatted 4 consecutive fours through backward square) before again being bowled! Still, it was the second highest innings of the match and enough for the second Double Sandham of the season. Simon and Iain, in stark contrast to the rest of the team, played very doggedly, playing out 2 maidens and occasionally taking the odd single, before Iain put away one just begging to be hit, and tried to repeat it next ball before being bowled. So- all out for 100, after a bowler takes a five for to restrict the opposition, then failing to chase a decent total. The fielding and bowling electric throughout the oppositions innings, but a lack of application with the bat eventually yielding a heavy defeat...it seems like this is becoming a bit of a theme for our pink clad antiheroes. Still, the tea was excellent and pints in the clubhouse were only £3.20 so in a very real sense everyone was a winner that day.
1 Comment
Magnificent Ebowler
24/6/2019 21:08:47
Makes life easier. Nice on lads
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THE TEAMFormed from a collection of players who met on the internet via social cricket at Archbishop's Park, Plastics XI represents the foolhardy members of that group who decided they wanted a bash at proper cricket instead of playing with plastic balls. The team's ability is best described as "weak-weak". Luckily, our social media game is much stronger. Find us on: Archives
October 2021
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